OUTDOORS REPORT: Feb. 7

BINK GRIMES and WILKENS WEATHER

Published 6:30 am, Thursday, February 7, 2008

Galveston Bay

Despite beautiful conditions and tolerable winds, few anglers took to the bay. Water temperatures were around 58 degrees despite the cool-down. Light winds and warmer temperatures are expected through the weekend, which should pump more water on the flats and send fish to the shallows.

Matagorda

Water clarity in the Colorado River is beginning to clear, reported guide Melvin Talasek. Lots of small baitfish in the river to go with small speckled trout at night under lights. Redfish remain steady on the south shoreline of West Matagorda Bay.

Best baits have been plastic worms and crankbaits. High winds have hampered efforts over deeper structure from crappie, white bass and catfish.

Toledo Bend

Guide Jim Morris said water temperatures had been running in the upper 50s and lower 60s before the cold front.

Good catches of bass, including a 3-fish stringer weighing more than 14 pounds, have been caught around grass on jigs and crankbaits. Morris said spawning temperatures range from 58-62 degrees. And, if mild temperatures hold, there could be an early spawn.

Hunting

Clear skies and north winds made it tough to decoy snow geese Wednesday. Prairie geese are scattered and thorough scouting is of the utmost. Better shoots have been closer to the coast and in the marsh.

The forecasted warmup could produce areas of fog, which is just what the doctor ordered for wary, late-season birds.

Winds will be southeast to south at 8-15 mph today. Winds will be south at 10-17 mph on Friday morning and south-southwest 6-12 mph Friday afternoon and night. Expect seas in deep water from 2-3 feet both days with partly cloudy skies.